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“It’s just that I’ve known you for what? Three days? And I feel like you already know me better and understand me better than my ex ever did.”
The honesty was a shock to his system, but her words warmed him unexpectedly, and pride swelled in his chest. “When a pretty girl talks, I listen.” He might’ve steered clear of relationships, but he knew how to give women exactly what they wanted.
Disappointment tugged at the corners of her eyes, but she pressed her lips upward anyway. “Damn, and here I thought I was special.”
He reached across the bar, taking her hand in his to add weight to his words, but mainly because he wanted to feel the softness of her hand against his again. He ran the pad of his thumb across her knuckle and met her eyes, holding her gaze for a quiet moment. “You are.”
The disappointment vanished from her features as a pretty blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks.
Satisfied with her reaction, he let go of her hand. “How about that burger?”
“How about more margaritas!” The table of margarita drinking women all held their drinks up in solidarity.
Olivia covered her mouth and muffled a laugh. “You better get on that before they get rowdy. Hi ladies,” Olivia waved then turned back to Shane. “I’ll keep them in line while you get started on those margaritas.” She slid off the stool and strutted toward the women.
Shane watched as she greeted each of the book club members then with confident ease, rested her hand on the back of a chair to continue the conversation.
In the way she dressed and carried herself, Olivia came across as confident, but Shane could see beyond the façade. He could see the insecurities and uncertainties that poked beneath the surface, but as he watched her speak to the table of women, those nuances of self-doubt vanished.
Shane prepared a pitcher of margaritas for the table and passed off Olivia’s order to Connor. It’d been only a couple days, but he already felt like he belonged, manning the bar and working as a team with his cousin. He grabbed the pitcher and brought it over to the table. He was greeted with cheers as he filled all the glasses.
“I’ll let you ladies get back to your discussion,” Olivia said.
The woman with the black rimmed glasses and salt and pepper shoulder-length hair patted Olivia’s hand and looked at her with warm affection. “Don’t forget to stop by. I’ll find you something to combat the boredom.”
“Will do.”
Olivia followed Shane to the bar and slid onto her stool.
Shane nodded to the table. “Thanks for your help.”
Olivia waved his appreciation away. “It was nothing. I’ve known every single one of those women my entire life. And it worked out for me since I got the welcome back greetings done in one fell swoop.”
“In that case, you’re welcome.”
Olivia laughed under her breath, shaking her head as amusement danced in her eyes.
“Connor said they come in here every Monday for book club,” Shane said.
“It’s really the margarita club with a side of reading.”
Shane rubbed at his chin. “Connor said something along those lines, too.”
“They’re all really good people though.” Olivia turned her body slightly to face the women.
“Strap in. I’m about to give you a crash course.” She nodded to the table. “The lady with the glasses that has a Diane Keaton vibe, that’s Jean Kelly. She owns The Book Nook. You answer a few questions, and she will find you the perfect book. Her husband passed away when I was eleven. The whole town mourned with her and their two kids who are well into their thirties now. Mr. Kelly was one of the good ones.” Olivia was quiet for a moment before continuing. “Next to Jean is Maria. She owns the hair salon Shear Heaven with her husband, Antonio. Well, it’s split up into a barbershop/salon. I used to babysit their daughter Sofia when I was in high school. Next to Maria is Miss Karen. She owns Pie in the Sky where you will have the best pie you’ve ever had in your entire life. I have to limit myself when I’m home, or I’d be in there every single day it’s that good.”
“Does she have coconut cream?”
An adorable smirk quirked at the edge of her lips. “Is that your favorite?”
“Possibly.”
“Then you are in for a treat. Tell you what… I’ll buy your first slice. She closes early on Mondays for book club, so what about tomorrow morning? Say ten?”
“Are you asking me out?” Shane asked with a flirtatious tone. Since she just broke up with her ex, there was no chance she’d get attached. It was a win-win for both of them. He could help her move on and have some fun while he was in town.
Olivia’s teeth slid over her lip. “I’m asking you to join me for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But if you’re not up to the challenge…”
